water and sanitation
Filipino communities celebrate World Water Day 2017

On World Water Day, 22 March, communities in Masbate, Camarines Norte and Zamboanga del Norte painted murals that promote the integrated water, sanitation and hygiene (iWash) approach in providing sustainable safe water and sanitation services. Check out event highlights on Storify.

partnerships
Blog: EU and UNDP: A partnership forged to help reduce poverty

Sharing the same values and objectives, the EU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are natural partners – and they have been so for over 15 years, working in over 100 countries, including in the Philippines.

sustainable development goals
Increasing equality, managing rural urban transitions, and investing in sustainable infrastructure are keys to unlocking prosperity in Asia-Pacific

Some 400 million people in Asia and the Pacific still confront poverty as part of their daily lives due to widening income inequality, despite the region’s impressive gains in reducing income poverty in recent decades, according to a new report launched by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in a forum in Bangkok, Thailand. The report, titled Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing Asia-Pacific, notes that on top of the 400 million people — or one in ten — in the region living in extreme poverty, more than one in four people in Asia and the Pacific’s developing countries experience poverty in multiple dimensions. This includes additional deprivations that impact their health, education, and standard of living.

human development report
Exclusion and inequality lead to uneven development across Asia and the Pacific

Exclusion of women, ethnic minorities, and people living in remote areas create chronic barriers that have stymied human development progress and led to significant disparities within the Asia and the Pacific region, leaving many behind. A stronger focus on those excluded groups, and on actions to dismantle these barriers is urgently needed to ensure sustainable human development for all. These are among the key findings of the Human Development Report 2016 entitled ‘Human Development for Everyone’, released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

disaster recovery
KOICA, UNDP help communities “build back better” after Typhoon Yolanda

Communities in Eastern Visayas, including in Samar and Eastern Samar, now have more disaster-resilient infrastructure and livelihood with the support of the government and international development partners like the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

disaster recovery
Recovery efforts continue for Eastern Visayas communities with disaster-resilient infrastructure

More than three years after Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Visayan provinces, recovery efforts continue for communities with the recent turnover of disaster-resilient infrastructure supported by the European Union in Tacloban and Palo in Leyte and in Balangkayan, Hernani and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar.

climate change
Vulnerable Countries from Asia-Pacific Meet to Invest on Climate Action

Finance ministers and senior officials from 15 developing economies across Asia and the Pacific met at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Manila to discuss enhanced economic and financial responses to climate change. he 3-day regional consultation of the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Ministers of Finance (V20) aims to mobilize international, regional, and national investment for climate action, as well as discuss financial instruments for disaster risk reduction, public financial management, and carbon pricing. It is supported by ADB, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank Group, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

Philippine business executives come together for LGBTI

UNDP in the Philippines and The Economist Asia co-hosted the Executive Dialogue on Implementing LGBTI Inclusion in Asia,w/ 30+ representatives from various businesses in the Philippines sharing experiences,challenges and best practices on LGBTI inclusion.

Haoliang Xu: Speech on "The Changing Role of UNDP in Asia-Pacific" at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs

Haoliang Xu, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), talks about the changing role of UNDP in Asia-Pacific" at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

biodiversity
Mindoro local officials,UNDP, DENR to work together to localize biodiversity action plan

Legislators and local chief executives of the province of Mindoro are committing full support to localize the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (PBSAP) 2015-2028 and biodiversity financing in Mindoro Island.

migration and development
Op-Ed: The “bagong bayani” of the Philippines

Celebrating the Month of Overseas Filipinos in December of every year, in line with the International Migrants Day, is recognizing the valuable role and productive contribution of migrants both in the Philippines and their countries of destination. With remittances expected to reach USD 28 billion (P1.4 trillion) for 2016, the equivalent of 10% of GDP, the contribution of overseas Filipinos to the Philippine economy is unquestionable. About 20% of all households in the Philippines receive these remittances. Migration has brought immense benefits.

Businesses To Play Greater Role In New Development Era In Asia-Pacific, Says UNDP At Responsible Business Forum
Businesses To Play Greater Role In New Development Era In Asia-Pacific, Says UNDP At Responsible Business Forum

At the fifth Responsible Business Forum, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today called on business leaders to take a greater role in the new development era in order to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Forum, opened in Singapore by UNDP and Global Initiatives, aims to address a sea change in the nature of development funding by creating a new partnership for sustainable development.

While foreign funding (Official Development Assistance) is still essential for the development system, it now accounts for 0.7 percent of total financial flows in Asia-Pacific (down from 13.5 percent in 1990), while domestic public and private finance accounts for 89 percent, according to a UNDP report launched last month.

sustainable development goals
United Nations holds first business forum on Sustainable Goals in Asia

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Initiatives will welcome over 600 global business leaders, senior government officials, UN Agencies and NGOs from across the globe for the Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development on 22nd-24th November at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. (Photo: Rod Sollesta)

local governance
Blog: The privilege of observing South-South at a junction

The exchange between the Philippines and Cambodia was aiming to trigger the sharing of best practices, exchange of ideas for resolving practical development issues and offer valuable peer to peer experience between two southern countries. UNDP is privileged to be able to connect and facilitate roles to steering South-South cooperation initiatives.

inclusive business
CEO Forum: Leaders willing to do inclusive business

Forty-five CEOs and representatives from 22 companies along with delegates from the government and development institutions gathered in an event organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Business Call to Action to discuss ways on how to make their businesses more responsive to the needs of underserved communities through Inclusive Business (IB).

Domestic Resources Dominate Development Finance in Asia
Domestic Resources Dominate Development Finance in Asia

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asia-Pacific Development Effectiveness Facility (AP-DEF) opened a two-day meeting on aid ahead of the upcoming Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. More than 100 government delegates and development experts are exploring how to design integrated national financing frameworks for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia-Pacific. “Domestic sources of finance are emerging as a key driving force for sustainable development in Asia-Pacific,” said Haoliang Xu, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director for Asia and the Pacific. “These new sources of finance allow us to expand the existing development cooperation and partnership.”

inclusive business
Board of Investments, UNDP partner with business groups on Inclusive Business survey for Philippine firms

The Philippine Board of Investments, the industry development and investments promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, the United Nations Development Programme and business groups launched Business+ Philippines, a nationwide survey on Inclusive Business among Philippine companies.

peace
Op-ed: Courage of Conviction

In the Philippines, arguably, the prospects for peace following decades of conflict is perhaps closer than ever before, precisely because there is courage of conviction.

sustainable development goals
Social Good Summit Philippines: Innovation +SocialGood #2030Now #HackSociety

On September 24, 2016, Rappler, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, again hosted the annual Social Good Summit with a new twist - the #HackSociety! #HackSociety is an ideathon that harnessed the new democratic space and crowdsourced “hacks” that address key issues and "chip away" at the Sustainable Development Goals. (Photo: Rappler)

sustainable development
UNDP, PBE launch partnership to recognize private sector contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Development Programme and the Philippine Business for the Environment launched a partnership to recognize and document private sector contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP and PBE unveiled the SDGs online portal – http://sdgreport.thepbe.org – where Philippine companies can provide data and other information on their initiatives that contribute to the SDGs.

climate change
Philippines and Ethiopia Lead Global Climate Coalition to Speed Development

Ministers from countries forming the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and global thought leaders addressed the Philippine Senate as they presented new research indicating development by emerging economies would be optimized if global temperature increase was held below 1.5C degrees.

SDGs
A Call to Action: Co-Creating the Future through Corporate Social Responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals

Speech delivered by Mr Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines at the League of Corporate Foundations' Corporate Social Responsibility Expo 2016.

Department of Education provides 184 Senior High Schools with IT equipment to support K to 12 implementation

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to deliver information technology (IT) equipment to stand-alone Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide to support the implementation of the K to12 Program. DepEd partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the IT equipment package for the schools. (Photo: DepEd)

biodiversity
Op-ed | Investing in biodiversity is investing in our future

International Biodiversity Day offers a timely reminder of the importance of effective management of a country’s natural wealth. Few places in the world are as rich in biodiversity as the Philippines: considered as one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries, harboring more diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world. This immense natural wealth (and it is a remarkable asset) is however at significant risk.

biodiversity
WATCH: Deutsche Welle's coverage of Wildlife Conservation in the Philippines

Deutsche Welle, the German public TV service, has released an episode for its Global Ideas program, highlighting the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in the Philippines to raise awareness on biodiversity financing and conservation. Shot in Bais City, Dumaguete, the film features the Tanon Strait which is a resting ground for whales, dolphins and home to rare marine plants. As biodiversity comes under threat, locals are getting involved in its protection.

regional human development report
UNDP: Fastest population shift in history means make or break for Asia-Pacific

Demographic change in Asia and the Pacific is happening at a rate the world has never seen. If countries do not start planning for this demographic change, they will miss out on a unique opportunity to boost growth and investments for the future, says the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its latest Regional Human Development Report. They also risk a surge in youth frustration, exacerbating instability and conflict.

peacebuilding
EU, UNDP launch a new project to help sustain peace in Mindanao

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a new project that aims to sustain peace efforts in Mindanao. EU Ambassador Franz Jessen and UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra presented the "Support Peace-Bangsamoro Project" that will be implemented from 2016 to mid-2017.

justice for all
Corruption remains a major stumbling block for justice sector reforms: UNDP

Corrupt judicial systems undermine reforms and are a major impediment to ensuring access to justice and human rights for ordinary citizens across the world, says a new report published by the United Nations Development Programme and U4 Anti-corruption Resource Centre.

governance
Participatory monitoring helps improve performance of government services and promote citizen empowerment

This case study pertains to an assessment conducted by the Basel Institute on Governance, in collaboration with UNDP’s Global Anti-Corruption Initiative (GAIN), of a social accountability monitoring project in the municipality of San Miguel, Bohol in the Philippines. Called Bayaniham Undertaking Living in a Healthy and Organised Neighborhood or BULHON sa Panguma (BULHON), the project involves the monitoring of agricultural subsidies and was developed and implemented by the Government Watch (G-Watch) programme of the Ateneo School of Government in Manila.

biodiversity conservation
Php334B needed for biodiversity conservation in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of 17 mega diverse countries, harboring more diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world. Yet encroachment in forested areas, pollution, over fishing, poor land management practices, are leading to biodiversity loss at an alarming rate. (Photo: BIOFIN)

Make the change! RePubliKo is a call to every Filipino to vigorously take part in the reform process in all aspects of governance.

Visit www.facebook.com/RePubliKo to know more how you can make - and be part of - the change! RePubliKo is a people's platform to discuss issues, help build solutions-oriented governance reform agenda and take action for inclusive development.

Op-ed: Where are we with the Yolanda Recovery?

The issues highlighted in recent press coverage on the statement of Professor Beyani, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, reflect a number of structural challenges that need to be addressed to expedite recovery from future disasters.